Acupuncture for Fertility: Support Through Every Step of the Journey

Fertility treatment is a deeply personal experience—one that can bring up hope, uncertainty, resilience, and everything in between. At Āurum Acupuncture in Memphis, we offer evidence-based, whole-person care to support patients through every phase of the fertility process. Whether you’re just beginning, prepping for retrieval, or navigating the emotional intensity of transfer day, acupuncture can play a powerful role in both physiological outcomes and emotional well-being.

🥚 Before and During Egg Retrieval

In the weeks leading up to retrieval, acupuncture supports the body in preparing for ovarian stimulation. It helps optimize blood flow to the ovaries, which may improve follicular development and oocyte quality. By regulating the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis, acupuncture helps stabilize hormone signaling and may reduce side effects of fertility medications.

📚 A study published in Gynecological Endocrinology (2011) found that acupuncture during ovarian stimulation improved the number of retrieved oocytes and embryo quality in women undergoing IVF (PubMed).

🤍 Embryo Transfer & Implantation Support

Transfer day can feel like everything is riding on one moment. Acupuncture around this time can help relax the uterus, increase endometrial receptivity, and modulate the immune response to support implantation. It also helps calm the nervous system, lowering cortisol levels and promoting parasympathetic activity—key for allowing the body to move into a receptive state.

📚 In one of the most cited studies on the subject, Paulus et al. (2002) found that IVF patients who received acupuncture before and after embryo transfer had significantly higher pregnancy rates compared to those who did not (PubMed).

🌀 Emotional Support & Cycle Monitoring

Between appointments, blood draws, and two-week waits, fertility treatment can feel like a full-time job. Regular acupuncture sessions provide a rhythmic point of grounding, where patients can process what’s happening, ask questions, and receive care that’s as much for the nervous system as it is for the reproductive system.

We’ve been there. One of the most valuable things you’ll find at Āurum Acupuncture is someone who understands this process intimately—someone you can ask about cervical mucus, transfer timing, lining thickness, or how to breathe when the wait feels unbearable. You don’t have to go through it alone.

🌱 Ongoing Cycle Support & Beyond

We continue to support patients during the luteal phase, the early weeks of pregnancy (if achieved), or in preparing for the next cycle with a sense of resilience. Acupuncture has also been shown to support progesterone levels, reduce inflammation, and regulate the immune system—all important factors in sustaining pregnancy.

📚 A meta-analysis in Complementary Therapies in Medicine (2019) concluded that acupuncture can enhance IVF outcomes and also reduce anxiety and depression in patients undergoing fertility treatment (PubMed).

At Aurum, You’re More Than Just a Protocol

We take an integrative, trauma-informed approach to care—combining the wisdom of Chinese medicine with the practical knowledge of modern fertility protocols. Whether you’re trying naturally or navigating advanced reproductive technology, we meet you where you are.

We’re here to help your body feel safer, stronger, and more supported—no matter where you are on your path to parenthood.

Ready to start? Let’s build a care plan that supports your fertility, your health, and your peace of mind. 🖋️ Book your fertility consultation today

How Does Eastern Medicine View Western Medical Interventions? (A note from our founder...)

When I meet my patients, it is often when they have exhausted all other options for their condition. Acupuncture and Eastern Medicine are typically considered last-resort treatments for ailments such as chronic pain, stress, and digestive disorders. As a result, I frequently hear stories from patients who have "tried everything," including medical procedures and medications such as pain relievers, IBS medications, and biologics. By the time they reach my clinic, they are often frustrated and looking for an alternative solution—one that may offer relief where conventional treatments have failed.

A common misconception is that holistic providers, including practitioners of Eastern Medicine, are opposed to Western medical interventions. This could not be further from the truth. In fact, this misunderstanding may prevent people from seeking treatments that could significantly improve their health, especially if Eastern Medicine had been integrated earlier in their care plan.

While I do not claim to be an expert in every facet of both Eastern and Western medicine, I have observed firsthand that when these approaches are used together, patient outcomes improve significantly. Allopathic medicine (commonly referred to as Western medicine) plays a crucial role in emergency care and in managing acute symptoms effectively. It excels in situations requiring immediate intervention, such as trauma, infections, and pain relief. However, when it comes to long-term health management, a more holistic approach may provide additional benefits.

Research supports the integration of Eastern and Western medicine. For example, a study published in The Journal of Pain (2018) found that acupuncture significantly reduces chronic pain conditions, including osteoarthritis and lower back pain, when used alongside conventional medical treatments. Additionally, a meta-analysis in JAMA Internal Medicine(2017) reported that acupuncture is effective in reducing the frequency and severity of migraines, providing an alternative or complementary option for patients relying on pharmaceutical treatments.

Furthermore, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) emphasizes treating the root cause of illness rather than just the symptoms. This contrasts with many Western interventions, which often focus on symptom management rather than long-term healing. A study in Integrative Cancer Therapies (2019) highlighted that cancer patients who received acupuncture and herbal medicine alongside chemotherapy experienced fewer side effects and improved quality of life compared to those who only received standard chemotherapy treatments.

It is important to acknowledge that Western medicine has made remarkable advancements in life-saving procedures and pharmaceutical innovations. However, integrating Eastern Medicine into patient care may reduce dependence on medications, minimize side effects, and support the body's natural healing processes. The key is balance—leveraging the strengths of both approaches to optimize patient health and well-being.

Ultimately, my goal as a practitioner of Eastern Medicine is not to replace Western medical interventions but to complement them. A collaborative approach that respects the strengths of both systems has the potential to improve patient outcomes, enhance quality of life, and create a more comprehensive and effective healthcare experience!

Spring Awakening: Harnessing the Power of the Wood Element in TCM

Spring is a time of renewal, growth, and expansion. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), this season corresponds to the Wood element, which governs the Liver and Gallbladder. Understanding the Wood element and aligning with its energy can help us thrive during this vibrant season.

The Wood Element and Spring
In TCM, each season is linked to one of the Five Elements, and Wood is associated with spring. Just as trees and plants push upward and outward after winter dormancy, our bodies and minds also seek movement, flexibility, and new beginnings.

Wood represents growth, vision, and adaptability. When our Wood element is in balance, we feel motivated, creative, and resilient. However, if the Wood energy is stagnant or excessive, we may experience frustration, irritability, digestive discomfort, or tension in the muscles and tendons.

The Liver and Gallbladder: Spring’s Governing Organs
The Liver and Gallbladder are the primary organs connected to the Wood element. The Liver is responsible for the smooth flow of Qi (energy) throughout the body, while the Gallbladder supports decision-making and courage. When these organs function well, we experience emotional clarity, smooth digestion, and physical flexibility.

However, stress, poor diet, and lack of movement can cause Liver Qi stagnation, leading to symptoms such as:

• Irritability and mood swings

• Eye strain or blurry vision

• Headaches, especially on the sides of the head

• Digestive disturbances, such as bloating or acid reflux

• Muscle stiffness and tension

Understanding the Liver and Gallbladder in TCM vs. Western Medicine
In TCM, the Liver and Gallbladder are understood as energetic systems rather than just physical organs. While the Liver in Western medicine is primarily responsible for detoxification and metabolic functions, in TCM, it is seen as the organ that regulates the flow of Qi and emotions. Similarly, the Gallbladder in Western medicine helps store and release bile, while in TCM, it is linked to decision-making, courage, and the ability to take action.

These TCM organ systems encompass a broader physiological and emotional role, meaning that symptoms related to the Liver or Gallbladder in TCM may not necessarily indicate dysfunction in the physical organs from a Western medical perspective. Instead, they represent energetic imbalances that can be addressed through diet, lifestyle, acupuncture, and herbal medicine.

How to Align with Spring’s Energy
To stay in harmony with the Wood element, consider these practices:
1. Eat Seasonally
Support your Liver by consuming light, fresh, and green foods. Leafy greens, sprouts, citrus fruits, and sour flavors help detoxify and invigorate the body. Reduce heavy, greasy, or overly processed foods that can burden the Liver.
2. Move Your Body
Stretching, yoga, walking, and outdoor activities help release stagnant Liver Qi. Engage in exercises that promote flexibility and circulation.
3. Practice Emotional Release
Spring is a great time to release pent-up emotions. Journaling, breathwork, and acupuncture can help clear emotional blockages and promote a sense of ease.
4. Spend Time in Nature
Connect with the Wood element by surrounding yourself with greenery. Walk in the woods, garden, or simply open your windows to let in fresh air.
5. Cleanse and Declutter
Spring cleaning isn’t just for your home—it’s also for your mind and body. Consider a gentle detox with herbal teas, plenty of water, and mindfulness practices to let go of what no longer serves you.
6. Get Acupuncture
Acupuncture helps balance Liver Qi, relieve stress, and support overall well-being. It’s especially beneficial in spring to encourage a smooth transition into the season.

By aligning with the energy of spring and the Wood element, you can cultivate vitality, clarity, and a sense of renewal. Embrace the season’s opportunities for growth, and enjoy the fresh start that spring offers!

The Problem With PCOS and How Acupuncture Can Help

Polycystic ovarian syndrome, or PCOS, affects between 8% to 20% of reproductive-age women worldwide. PCOS is a hormonal disorder which has numerous symptoms, many of which can seem unrelated. Typically, health care providers will look for these common characteristics in a potential PCOS patient: 

• Absence of ovulation

• Cysts on the ovaries

• Excess androgens

A PCOS diagnosis is not always definitive, but rather health care providers typically look for a grouping of several PCOS related symptoms in order to determine the diagnosis. Additional symptoms can include: irregular menstruation, infertility, excess hair growth, persistent acne, and/or stubborn weight gain particularly around the middle. Unfortunately, “researchers know that genetic and environmental factors contribute to the development of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), but do not know exactly what causes PCOS”.

The problem with PCOS is that since the diagnosis is not always definitive (meaning the diagnosis is based off a number of symptoms a patient has rather than through any diagnostic test result) and “it is a multifaceted disorder affecting endocrine, nervous and cardiovascular systems and has many metabolic repercussions and clinical repercussions” with the causes of PCOS remaining unknown, patients who have PCOS are are left to manage the symptoms of PCOS as opposed to addressing whatever the root cause is. This leads to a lot of symptom chasing and frustration on the patient’s part. Many times, the solution from the Western doctor is to put a woman on birth control to “regulate” her cycle - which is not regulating anything because birth control, unless it is the copper IUD, cuts off communication between the brain and the ovaries or to utilize IVF to get a patient pregnant.

Often patients arrive at the acupuncturist’s office with a long list of complaints as a result of their diagnosis, with very little real help being offered by their Western health care provider. The biggest complaint is that of irregular menstruation and anovulation (lack of ovulation) leading to amenorrhea and infertility problems. Women often speak about having a history of irregular periods, with or without ovulation, and are now trying to get pregnant without success. 

Luckily for them, acupuncture has demonstrated efficacy in treating not only the symptoms of PCOS, but also in treating the fertility problems women with PCOS face. In a study published in the American Journal of Physiology Endocrinology and Metabolism in March 2013, it was shown that “repeated acupuncture treatments with manual and electrical stimulation in lean/overweight women with PCOS results in a higher ovulation frequency during the treatment period than in the control group.” Additionally, circulating levels of a variety of hormones (including estrone, estrone sulphate, estradiol, DHEA and testosterone) were found to have decreased significantly more in the acupuncture group compared to the control group. 

The efficacy of the acupuncture in PCOS cases can be contributed to a number of things, but the primary take away is that acupuncture has a profound effect on the central nervous system, and in turn on the endocrine system. Helping to regulate hormones naturally, helps to regulate the hypothalamic-pituitary axis which is vital to a well functioning female reproductive system. Acupuncture is a relatively side-effect free way of regulating these hormones, as well as promoting proper blood circulation in the female reproductive organs through its effect on the central nervous system. 

The takeaway here is that anyone seeking help for PCOS fertility issues - or any other PCOS related concerns - should feel confident seeking out an acupuncturist to help with these issues. Acupuncture is painless, effective, and relatively side effect free, which I know we can all get behind! If you or anyone you know is looking for help with PCOS related issues, feel free to give us a call at 646-760-9880 or email us at hello@aurumacupuncture.com to learn more about the benefits of acupuncture or to book an appointment! 

Chlorophyll, Chlorella, and the Importance of Blood

As daylight fades on 2021 and we move towards 2022, post-holiday hibernation is beginning.  The temperatures are finally getting cooler and my thoughts turn inward just as the season predicts. I look around and see the leaves have fallen from the trees and I’m reminded of a particularly potent pigment in mother nature: chlorophyll. 

“Chlorophyll is a photosynthetic pigment present in green plants that absorbs light energy and uses it to produce carbohydrates from carbon dioxide and water. Chlorophyll is crucial to the process of photosynthesis, which is responsible for sustaining the life process of green plants.” What I find so fascinating about chlorophyll is its similarity to another vital fluid: blood. 

As famous botanist Donald Peattie found in Tree: A Life Story, "Using spectrum analysis, [I] learned that the constituents of a chlorophyll molecule were eerily familiar. 'To me, a botanist's apprentice, a future naturalist,' he writes, 'there was just one fact to quicken the pulse. That fact is the close similarity between chlorophyll and hemoglobin, the essence of our blood.' This is no fanciful comparison, but a literal, scientific analogy: 'The one significant difference in the two structural formulas is this: that the hub of every hemoglobin molecule is one atom of iron, while in chlorophyll it is one atom of magnesium.' Just as chlorophyll is green because magnesium absorbs all but the green light spectrum, blood is red because iron absorbs all but the red. Chlorophyll is green blood."

What is the importance of this finding? Firstly, it leads us to the conclusion that plants are not as different from us as we may like to believe. Secondly, with such striking biological similarity, it is clear that we may use chlorophyll to nourish our own blood, because in Chinese Medicine (CM) we use “like to treat like”. 

I talk a lot about blood quality in session and the key difference between how CM views blood and how Western Medicine views it is, CM is more interested in the quality of blood rather than the quantity. If the quality is good, you will have enough quantity. Blood is categorized as connective tissue, therefore fresh, healthy, high quality blood is one of the vital fluids that keeps our bodies running and functioning optimally. 

That being said, I frequently recommend chlorella whenever a patient presents with any blood quality issues. Blood quality issues run the gamut and can be anything from pain to insomnia and everything in between. “Chlorella is a single-celled green algae found in bodies of freshwater and contains high concentrations of nutrients such as vitamin C, carotenoids, vitamin B complex and iron. The algae also contains a high amount of protein and can produce healthy oils high in polyunsaturated fats.” 

Why chlorella over chlorophyll? Though they are related, there are some key differences between chlorella and chlorophyll. Chlorella is a type of algae and chlorophyll is the substance plants use, along with sunlight, to make their own food. While straight chlorophyll is an excellent supplement, taking chlorella has added benefits such as:

• Delivers a high amount of nutrients to the body: Chlorella is packed with good-for-you stuff like vitamins B12 and C, iron, fiber, protein, antioxidants, and fatty acids.

• Helps the body process heavy metals and detox: One of chlorella's best-known benefits is that it's a great ingredient for helping rid your body of all the toxins that come from processed foods, the environment, and life in general which can disrupt our hormonal balance. It binds to heavy metals to assist with detox.

• Provides protective benefits to the body: While studies are mixed, this edible algae may also help strengthen the immune system, as well as possibly lower cholesterol, blood pressure, and manage blood sugars.

• Promotes weight loss:A 2008 study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food discovered that regular chlorella intake over a 16-week period resulted in a lower body fat percentage for the participants, along with lower cholesterol and blood glucose levels.

While supplements are not a cure-all, they are certainly part of the process of healing. Feel free to reach out directly with any questions and I look forward to seeing you in the clinic!

https://www.livestrong.com/article/470008-chlorella-vs-chlorophyll/

https://healthyeating.sfgate.com/chlorella-vs-chlorophyll-10702.html 

https://www.byrdie.com/chlorella-benefits